Micro-scale concentrated photovoltaic module
AssigneeArizona Board of Regents on Behalf of the University of Arizona
InventorsStanley K Pau, Linan Jiang, Richard J Koshel
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Abstract
A photovoltaic (“PV”) module may comprise an array of freeform micro-optics and an array of PV cells. The PV module may be a flat panel with a nominal thickness smaller than the length and width of the flat panel. An array of lenses may be embedded in an array substrate. The lenses may be coupled to light pipes. The lenses may concentrate light through the light pipes to multi-junction cells. Diffuse light may be transferred through the array substrate to a silicon cell. The lenses and light pipes may be manufactured using a molding and drawing process.
Claims21
A photovoltaic module comprising:
- a silicon cell;
- a multi junction cell coupled to the silicon cell;
- and
- a lens embedded in a substrate, wherein the lens is configured to direct light to the multi junction cell, and wherein the substrate is configured to direct diffuse light to the silicon cell.
A photovoltaic module comprising:
- an array substrate;
- a plurality of lenses embedded within the array substrate;
- a plurality of light pipes, wherein each light pipe in the plurality of light pipes is coupled to a corresponding lens in the plurality of lenses;
- a silicon cell configured to receive diffuse light passing through the array substrate;
- and
- a plurality of multi junction cells coupled to the silicon cell, wherein each of the plurality of multi junction cells is configured to receive concentrated light from a corresponding light pipe in the plurality of light pipes.
An integral glass solar concentrator comprising:
- an array substrate;
- a dome extending above the array substrate;
- a cone extending below the array substrate;
- and
- a light pipe extending from an apex of the cone.
A micro-optic illuminator comprising:
- an array substrate;
- a lens embedded within the array substrate;
- a light pipe coupled to the lens;
- and
- an optical device coupled to a substrate, wherein the optical device is configured to at least one of:
- emit light through the light pipe and through the lens;
- or
- absorb light collected by the lens.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.